Imo; My State

In one of the proverbs in our Owere Dialect, it says "Nga okwugburu onwe ya nu, omegburu onwe ya nu kwa ngaa". Our state; Imo is gradually turning into epicentre of drama and grand-stage for theatricals. Hence, it'll really be selfish and disservice for any well meaning Imolite to look the other way and pretend that all's well.

While the like of my good friend Obinna Osuagwu writes for the "Structural Change" of the entire polity, I'll dwell in making case for the workability of the present "Structure", at least for now. In as much as it's unarguable that 'Fiscal/True Federalism' is the 'Sole Ultimate' for Nigeria and our respective Governments confused of what are expected of them, the 'Trial and Error" is well going off the cliff.

Imo State is now an epitome of "One Week - One Protest". And for a State that has its three (3) striving industries as Hotels, Fuel-Stations and Banks shutting down services of some major Banks in the state, really calls for questions on its Admin. If the basic functions of Governance is to: Provide enabling Environment for Industries to flourish, Regulate the operations of such Industries and striking a balance between different Classes while protecting the interest and advancing the condition of all the people, how has our State Government faired in these??

The "Best" our dear 'Roche Admin' can boast of thus far is "Free Education at All Level" with the inherent 'Opportunity Cost' of 30% Admisson Quota for our Sons, Daughters, Brothers and Sisters of Imo origin. This is notwithstanding the payment of Twenty Thousand (N20,000) Naira for the processing of this 'One of a Kind' University Free Education by any Imolite who's lucky enough to be offered admission in our State owned Institutions which have been made Bazaar grounds for 70% Non-Imolites.

Our Roche goes about drumming this 'Wonderful Achievement' into the ear of anyone that cares to listen in his Wasteful Publicity Stunts. What many of us do not know is that many States in Nigeria are doing a lot better without wasting any fund and time in 'Noise Making'. Let me use Kano State to buttress my point. In Kano State University of Technology Wudil, Indigenes pay Eighteen Thousand (N18,000) Naira and no one goes about calling it "Free Education".

And the State Government isn't milking Non-Indigenes with Exorbitant Fees to balance his deficiencies, as they pay N40,000 only for tuition. Primary and Secondary education is also FREE while the Government even buys JAMB Form for any Student that makes the 5-Compulsory Subjects and pays Bursary every academic session. Yet, Kwankwaso floated another State University; North-West University and has been doing great also in Road Construction, City Beautifications and Housing Estates. Even Gombe State is doing real great in infrastructural developments compared to Imo, notwithstanding that status as one of the poorest states in terms of allocations but none of these States go about sounding their trumpets.

While our Roche is empowering Youths with 'Keke' Tricycle as an Oil-Producing State, Kwankasiyya is doing same with Toyota Corolla (2010-Model) for Taxis and Toyota Lite-Ace for Buses in his 'Amana' program in Kano. And in this 'hide-n-seek' game being played by Roche and his JPros, who's that Contractor that will be awarded any contract in Kano State without executing to the last detail of the project awarded to him??

When one express his/her view/s, Roche apologists will retort with their "PDP Paid Agents!" name-calling. For their info, I've never been a member of PDP or any Political Party at that and don't wish to be a member until such a time when Parties shall be driven by Intelligent People in a well Captured Ideologies and definite Structured Socioeconomic environment. But before then, I'll continue  to spite our Emir Roche of Imo State for depriving Imolites the only enterprise; Education where we have "Comparative Advantage" over others in his 3:7 Admission Ratio in favour of Non-Indigenes. As he cannot provide the enabling environment that will attract Investors and Industries to the State, the least expected of him is to allow us assess to education so that we can at least equip ourselves while going to the "Ends of the World" to seek for Employments.